Scissors

ABSTRACT

The specification and drawings disclose scissors which are particularly suited for use as disposable surgical scissors. The embodiment shown comprises a pair of pivotally interconnected handle and blade units with each handle and blade unit including an elongated molded plastic handle section having first and second end portions with a finger receiving loop at the first end portion and a blade member molded in the second end portion. The blade member is formed from a relatively thin strip of metal and has a cutting blade section and a somewhat narrower shank end. The shank end extends longitudinally into the handle section, whereas the cutting blade section extends outwardly from the handle section. Preferably, the shank end is substantially completely molded within the handle. Additionally, the second end portion of the handle preferably extends outwardly along one lateral face of the cutting blade section and means are provided for connecting the outermost end of the second end portion to the blade.

United States Patent 1 Eaton et al.

3,750,282 Aug. 7, 1973 SCISSORS Inventors: Douglas G. Eaton, Lakewood;Wade L. Wacker, Ashland; Theodore C. Appleman, Mansfield, all of OhioAssignee: Web Products Inc., Ashland, Ohio Filed: Oct. 4, 1972 Appl.No.2 294,932

Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 77,814,Oct. 5, 1970, abandoned.

U.S. Cl 30/254, 30/266, 30/341 Int. Cl B26b 13/02, B26b 13/28 Field ofSearch 30/252, 254, 266,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1953 Richartz 30/254 l2/l960Wahl 30/341 4/l968 Usbornc 30/266 Prjmary Examiner-Othell M. SimpsonAttorney-Thomas D. Shaffner [57] ABSTRACT The specification and drawingsdisclose scissors which are particularly suited for use as disposablesurgical scissors. The embodiment shown comprises a pair of pivotallyinterconnected handle and blade units with each handle and blade unitincluding an elongated molded plastic handle section having first andsecond end portions with a finger receiving loop at the first endportion and a blade member molded in the second end portion. The blademember is formed from a relatively thin strip of metal and has a cuttingblade section and a somewhat narrower shank end. The shank end extendslongitudinally into the handle section, whereas the cutting bladesection extends outwardly from the handle section. Preferably, the shankend is substan 'tially completely molded within the handle.Additionally, the second end portion of the handle preferably extendsoutwardly along one lateral face of the cutting blade section and meansare provided for connecting the outermost end of the second end portionto the blade.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SCISSORS This application is a continuation,in part of application Ser. No. 77,8l4 filed Oct. 5, l970, nowabandoned.

This invention is directed to the cutting art and, more particularly, tomolded plastic scissors with metallic blade inserts or attachments.

The invention is expectially suited for disposable surgical scissors andwill be described with particular ref erence thereto; however, it willbe appreciated the invention is capable of broader application and couldbe embodied in scissors of many types and for many uses.

In recent years, the increases in hospital labor costs have made iteconomically desirable to use disposable supplies and equitpment. Alarge number of items which were previously sterilized and reused havebeen replaced by relatively inexpensive disposable substitutes. Withmany items, however, it is still preferable to use conventional reusableequipment and supplies and resterilize them. This has been expeciallytrue with regard to surgical tools and the like. For example, withsurgical scissors the cost of a pair which will function satisfactorilyhas heretofore been far in excess of what it costs to resterilize.

The subject invention provides a scissor construction and'method ofmaking the same, which allows a comparatively high quality pair ofsurgical scissors to be made very inexpensively. Surgical scissorsformed in accordance with the invention can be manufactured at a pricewhich allows them to be considered as a disposable item since their costis less than or substantially equal to the cost of collecting andresterilizing conventional surgical steel scissors. Further,sterilization is assured since each pair is separately packaged as asterile unit and is not intended for reuse as a sterile item.

In accordance with the invention, the scissors comprise a pair of handleand blade units which are preferably, but not necessarily, substantiallyidentical in construction. Each handle and blade unit comprises anelongated, molded plastic handle section having a first end portionforming a finger receiving loop or opening, and a relatively thin steelblade member molded in the opposite end portion. Preferably, the blademember has a relatively narrow shank end portion which is enclosed bythe end portionof the plastic handle section, and a blade portion whichhas one lateral face exposed and its other lateral face coveredthroughout a substantial portion of its length by the end portion of thehandle section. Additionally, the blade portion and the terminal end ofthe handle are desirably joined by an opening in the blade through whichis molded some of the plastic of the handle section.

In accordance with a more limited aspect, the invention contemplatesthat the pair of handle and blade units are positioned with the exposedfaces of their blade portions in face-to-facc engagement and pivotallyconnected by a pin passing through both the metallic blades and the endportions of the handle sections. Also, it is contemplated that theblades will be laterally curved throughout a substantial portion oftheir length such that when they are joined they will have a bias towardone another to increase their cutting ability.

Because of the manner in which the blade sections are joined to themolded handle sections, there is a mutual reinforcing of both in theareas of maximum stree i.e. about the pivot point. This permits both theblade sections and the handle sections to be somewhat lighter. Further,the arrangement is such that the blades are continually biased intoproper cutting relationship.

Accordingly, a preimary object of the invention is the provision ofscissors which are formed from a combination molded plastic and metalblade members in a manner which allows them to function substantially aswell as high quality surgical steel scissors.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of scissors of thetype described wherein metal blade inserts or attachments are moldedintegrally with plastic handle sections so that the blade portions arerigidly connected with the handle sections.

A further object is the provision of a scissor construction of thegeneral type described in which the handle sections and the bladesections are interrelated in a manner which provides a mutualreinforcing of each at the points of maximum stress.

These and other objects and advantages will becom apparent from thefollowing description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein;

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pair of surgical scissors formed inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1 showing only the topblade-handle unit;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of blade;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the blade Referring more particularly to FIG.1, the surgical scissors are shown as comprised of two identicallyformed blade and handle units 10 and 12 which are pivotallyinterconnected by a pivot pin member 14 which passes through alignedopenings formed in each of the handle and blade units. Any type of pivotpin member could be used; hwever, in the preferred embodiment, the pivotpin comprises a short section of brass or copper tubing which is rolledover at its opposite ends to firmly affix blade and handle sectiontogether.

Although the handle and blade units l0, 12 could have differingconstructions, they are preferably identical as previously mentioned.Accordingly, only one will be described in detail and like referencenumerals differentiated by a prime suffix will be used to identify thecorresponding parts of the other unit. A description of one such part isto be taken as applicable to the other unless otherwise noted. Inparticular, each of the blade and handle units, includes an elongated,molded plastic section 16 and a cutting blade portion 18 which isintegrally molded into the handle 16 to provide a rigid handle and bladeunit. The interrelationship of the handle 16 and the blade l8 willsubsequently be described in substantial detail. However, referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, it is seen that the handle section 16 includes a firstend portion 20 into which is molded the blade member 18. An intermediatesection 22 of the handle 16 is formed preferably as shown in FIG. 3.Note that the intermediate section 22 has a cross-section somewhat inthe nature of an l-beam. That is, it is comprised of two relativelyheavy flange sections 23 and 24 interconnected by a short, relativelythin web section 25. This construction provides a substantial amount ofstrength in the direction of primary force application while permittingthe use of a comparatively small amount of material to permit both theweight and cost to be reduced. The particular type of plastic used forthe handle sections is not critical but is preferably a thermoplastic,such as polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, polystyrene, etc.

Formed integrally with the intermediate section 22 of handle section 16is a finger receiving opening or loop 26 defined by the curved endportion 28 which is of a somewhat eliptic cross-section as best shown inFIG. 3. It will be appreciated that the resilient nature of the plasticand the curved shape of the finger receiving portion with its free end29 allows the finger receiving opening 26 to expand to receive differentsize fingers.

The blade members 18 could be formed from many types of metal but in thepreferred embodiment they are formed from a relatively thin narrow stripof tempered stainless steel. Each of the blade members is shown asincluding a blade end portion 30 and a shank end portion 32. The bladeend portion 30 has a cutting edge 33 formed along at least one edge. Thecutting edge can be merely a sharp cornered perpendicular edge face anddoes not have to taper to a single edge like a knife blade. In theembodiment under consideration, the blade end portion 30 is taperedthroughout a major portion of its length and terminates in a roundedouter end 34. It will be understood that this taper forms no part of theinvention.

Preferably, the shank end portion 32 of blade member 18 is somewhatnarrower than the main portion of the blade and is of a lengthsubstantially equal to onethird of the total length of the blade member.Formed transversely between the lateral blade faces 36 and 38 is a pivotpin receiving opening 40 sized so as to closely receive the pivot pinmember 14. For reasons which will hereafter become apparent, the bladeis curved relatively uniformly from the position in proximity to opening40 to the outer blade end portion.

The relationship between the blade 18 and the end portion 20 of handle16 is relatively important and can best be understood by reference toFIGS. 1, 2 and 5. As shown, the shank end portion 32 of blade 18 iscompletely molded within the handle and in the embodiment is located atthe junction between end portion 20 and the intermediate portion 22 ofthe handle section 16. The inner face 38 of blade 18 is completelyexposed from a point adjacent the juncture of the handle intermediateportion 22 and the end portion 20 to the outer free end 34 of the blade.For strudtural reasons the end portion 20 of the handle 16 extendsoutwardly along the outer surface or face 36 to a point of approximatelyhalf the distance from the opening 40 to the free end of the blade. Itwill be noted from FIGS. 1 and that the end portion extends along theblade edge opposite the cutting edge 33. By providing a portion toextend downwardly along this edge of the blade, a more rigid forceengaging portion is provided to counteract the forces generated throughcutting operation of the scissors. Additionally, to more firmly andridigly interconnect the blade section and the handle section, anopening 44 is formed through the blade section intermediate the pivotpin opening 40 and the free end 34. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, theopening 44 if countersunk or tapered so that when the handle is moldedabout the blade, a portion of the plastic flows into the opening 44 toprovide an interlock between the outer end portion of the handle and theblade. This interlock effectively amounts to molded rivet integral withthe handle. It will also be noted that the outer end portion 20 of thehandle 22 is tapered from adjacent the opening 44 to its outer end and,further, that it conforms in general to the curvature of the blade.Additionally, at the location of the pivot pin opening the handle endportion is substantially thicker. This provides additional strength andbearing surface for the pivot pin member 14 and allows the assembledblade and handle units to have substantial resistance against rotationin directions perpendicular to the axis of the pivot pin 14 (i.e. indirections other than the normal movement of the blades relative to oneanother).

As previously mentioned, each of the handle and blade units 10 and 12are preferably identical. When assembled, they are positioned withsurfaces 38 of each of the united in engagement and the pivot pinopenings aligned. The blades are laterally curved, as shown in FIG. 6,so that when assembled the blades are biased toward each other. As canbe appreciated, a substantial bias on the blades thus acts to force themtogether. This assists in maintaining proper engagement of the cuttingedges during a cutting operation.

In addition to the biasing together of the blades by the curved shape,proper mating is further assured by cooperated wedge surfaces formed onthe end portion 20 of the handle 16. The wedge portions are as bestshown in FIG. 2. As will be seen in FIG. 1, a portion 48 extendslaterally of the end portion 20. On the undersurface of portion 48, aninclined wedge surface 50 extends downwardly and at an inclinationrelative to a plane perpendicular through the pivot pin axis 14.Accordingly when the blades are assembled, the wedges 50 engage as thetwo units start moving to a closed position. This biases the bladestogether prior to the biasing produced by the curvature of the blades.

From the above description, it is apparent that the relationship betweenthe metal blades or blade inserts, and the molded plastic handles issuch as to provide a very strong and rigid pair of scissors. Because oftheir construction, the scissors can be made inexpensively such thatthey can be used as disposable surgical scissors. Clearly, manyvariations and modifications of the structure shown in the preferredembodiment can be made without departing from the invention as set forthin the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Scissors comprising of a pair of essentially identical pivotallyinterconnected handle and blade units, each handle and blade unitincluding an elongated molded plastic handle section having first andsecond end portions with a finger receiving loop at the first endportion and a blade member molded in the second end portion, an openingpassing through the handle section and molded-in blade member of eachhandle and blade unit with pivot pin means therein pivotallyinterconnecting one handle and blade unit to the other with therespective blade members being in opposed cutting relatinship, each saidblade member being formed from a relatively thin strip of metal having ashank and extending longitudinally into said handle section end a bladeend portion extending outwardly from said handle section, each blade endportion having a cutting edge along at least one lateral edge, eachblade end portion being laterally curved toward the other blade endportion to provide opposed cutting edges curved toward each other, thesecond end portion of each handle extending outwardly beyond the pivotalinterconnection along one lateral face of said blade end portion andhaving an integral portion hot molded within an opening in the lateralface of the blade, each handle and blade unit including a wedge shapedcamming surface thereon positioned on the side of the pivotal connectionadjacent the first end, each wedge shaped camming surface being inclinedrelative to a plane serpendicular to the pivot pin means and beingrelatively higher on the side of the handle and blade unit opposite thecutting edge than on the side of the cutting edg the camming surface onone handle and blade unit cooperatively engaging the camming surface onthe other handle and blade unit whereby upon closing the scissors therelatively thicker portions of theopposedwedge shaped camming surfacescontact before the relatively thinner portions thereof thereby causingthe respective blade members to be biased toward each other.

2. The scissors of claim 1 further characterized in that the elongatedhandle section has a cross section of l-beam construction comprising aweb section joining flange sections.

3. The scissors of claim 1 further characterized in that the second endportion of each handle extends outwardly beyond the pivotalinterconnection to a point which is approximately one half of thedistance between the pivotal interconnection and the free end of theblade.

4. The scissors of claim 1 further characterized in that the opening inthe lateral face of the blade has tapered sides and the integral portionof the handle hot molded therein comprises a molded rivet integral withthe handle.

1. Scissors comprising of a pair of essentially identical pivotallyinterconnected handle and blade units, each handle and blade unitincluding an elongated molded plastic handle section having first andsecond end portions with a finger receiving loop at the first endportion and a blade member molded in the second end portion, an openingpassing through the handle section and molded-in blade member of eachhandle and blade unit with pivot pin means therein pivotallyinterconnecting one handle and blade unit to the other with therespective blade members being in opposed cutting relationship, eachsaid blade member being formed from a relatively thin strip of metalhaving a shank end extending longitudinally into said handle section anda blade end portion extending outwardly from said handle section, eachblade end portion having a cutting edge along at least one lateral edge,each blade end portion being laterally curved toward the other blade endportion to provide opposed cutting edges curved toward each other, thesecond end portion of each handle extending outwardly beyond the pivotalinterconnection along one lateral face of said blade end portion andhaving an integral portion hot molded within an opening in the lateralface of the blade, each handle and blade unit including a wedge shapedcamming surface thereon positioned on the side of the pivotal connectionadjacent the first end, each wedge shaped camming surface being inclinedrelative to a plane perpendicular to the pivot pin means and beingrelatively higher on the side of the handle and blade uNit opposite thecutting edge than on the side of the cutting edge, the camming surfaceon one handle and blade unit cooperatively engaging the camming surfaceon the other handle and blade unit whereby upon closing the scissors therelatively thicker portions of the opposed wedge shaped camming surfacescontact before the relatively thinner portions thereof thereby causingthe respective blade members to be biased toward each other.
 2. Thescissors of claim 1 further characterized in that the elongated handlesection has a cross section of I-beam construction comprising a websection joining flange sections.
 3. The scissors of claim 1 furthercharacterized in that the second end portion of each handle extendsoutwardly beyond the pivotal interconnection to a point which isapproximately one half of the distance between the pivotalinterconnection and the free end of the blade.
 4. The scissors of claim1 further characterized in that the opening in the lateral face of theblade has tapered sides and the integral portion of the handle hotmolded therein comprises a molded rivet integral with the handle.